Floating store to sell correctional home inmates-made jute products

Kolkata, Aug 29 (IANS) Jute products manufactured by inmates of Correctional Homes in Kolkata will now be available in a boat at southeast Kolkata’s floating market.

“We have banned the use of plastic in the floating market area, so we have supported the jute products made by the prisoners,” said state Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Firhad Hakim after inaugurating the floating store at Patuli here.

“It will generate employment for those people of the social strata who need support, as the boat will be managed by a blind woman and her partially blind son,” said the Minister.

In a joint initiative of the state Correctional Administration Department and a city-based NGO Rakshak Foundation, the inmates have been given skill development training in manufacturing jute products since 2017. The effort christened “Jute Story Beyond Bars” aims to empower the inmates and promote jute production.

Around 50 inmates of Dum Dum Central Correctional Home (DDCCH), Presidency Central Correctional Home and Alipore Central Correctional Home are supported by the NGO to earn a living for themselves.

“We are rehabilitating the inmates and encouraging them to return to the society. The products made by the inmates is a step in solving the major challenge of plastic pollution. Such innovative ideas help us in reforming the inmates,” said Correctional Administration Minister Ujjal Biswas.

The managing trustee of the foundation, Chaitali Das said: “We aim to promote jute at par with Khadi and linen. Jute can also be a fashion statement. We have tried to make the products of international standards and targeting the global market. The earnings generated will help the inmates to lead their life with dignity.”